Tracey Lee Rhodes, 59, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 in her hometown of Brevard, surrounded by the people she loved the most: her family. A devoted mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and, above all, a cherished friend, Tracey had a special gift for making people feel cared for and making them laugh. She will be missed more than words can say.

Tracey was an ER nurse at Transylvania Regional Hospital for more than 15 years, a job she loved and seemed born to do. Caring for others came naturally to her, and she brought compassion, dedication, and a generous heart to every shift. As charge nurse, she earned her colleagues’ deep respect and affection, and made many, many friends along the way. The ER nurses’ station won’t be quite the same without her; she leaves behind some very big shoes to fill but plenty of stories to keep everyone smiling.

Tracey loved traveling, especially when any of her children could come along. Any chance she got to go somewhere fun, she would take it. Cruises and reading were two of her favorite pastimes. On a cruise boat, she could usually be found curled up in what she called the “Serenity Now” area with a book and an umbrella drink, proof she knew how to make the most of a vacation. She treasured time with family and friends and never needed much of a reason to gather and laugh together.

Tracey is survived by her children, Alexandra Gail (Porter), Hunter Gail, Cole Rhodes, and Caleb Snyder; her first granddaughter, Sidney “Quinn” Harris; step-granddaughters, Aubery Harris, Alli Harris, and Briley Harris; her father, Richard “Dickie” Rhodes; her mother, Loreen AnderSon; her brothers, Jason Allen Rhodes (Stacey) and Richard “Todd” Rhodes; her nephew, Garrett Rhodes (Ann Marie) and her great-nephew Jason Paul Rhodes. She was preceded in death by her beloved niece, Amber Lynn Rhodes. 

In keeping with Tracey’s love of life, there will be no traditional, gloomy service; she would hate that. Instead, the family will welcome friends and guests on Sunday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m. by the lake at Camp Carolina, 1 Lambs Creek Road, Brevard, with the service to follow at 2 p.m., to celebrate Tracey’s life, her kindness, fiery personality, and especially her gift for dispensing big doses of laughter and shenanigans. The family invites all who knew and loved her to raise a glass in her honor, share stories, and remember a woman who knew life was too short to take too seriously.